Ododo Unveils Smart Jackets for Okada Riders, as MOUN Backs Tinubu, Governor for 2027 »

The Ododo of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has unveiled specially coded security jackets for commercial motorcycle (okada) riders, in a decisive move to curb criminal activities, strengthen public safety, and build trust in the informal transport sector.

The initiative, launched on Wednesday at the Government House in Lokoja, coincided with a solidarity visit by members of the Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN), who also used the occasion to endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ododo for a second term ahead of the 2027 elections.

Unveiling the jackets, Governor Ododo described them as more than mere uniforms, emphasizing their strategic importance as security tools designed to sanitize the okada sector.
“Each jacket carries a unique code linked to the identity of a registered rider. This will make it easier for passengers and security agencies to identify genuine operators while discouraging criminal infiltration,” the governor said.

He commended okada riders for choosing lawful means of livelihood, noting that their activities contribute significantly to economic development and social stability in Kogi State. According to him, the initiative will boost passenger confidence while supporting ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity.

Governor Ododo urged riders to remain vigilant and guard against any attempt to duplicate or misuse the jackets, stressing that collective responsibility remains key to combating crime.
He further acknowledged the role of the informal sector in job creation, pointing out that the okada business has become a vital source of income for many citizens.

The governor also praised President Tinubu’s economic direction, particularly his encouragement of local enterprise and the revival of critical industries such as the Ajaokuta Steel Company, which he described as central to Nigeria’s industrial transformation.

Earlier, the Kogi State Chairman of MOUN, Comrade Abdullahi Ovoro Ovurehu, said the union’s visit was to formally unveil the coded jackets and express appreciation to the Ododo administration for its support, especially in road infrastructure development across township areas.

He noted that improved road networks have significantly enhanced the operations of commercial motorcyclists, while reaffirming the union’s commitment to supporting security efforts in the state. He, however, appealed to the government to address concerns over multiple taxation allegedly imposed by revenue agencies.
Ovurehu also emphasized the political relevance of okada riders, citing their numerical strength and grassroots reach, and pledged the union’s unwavering support for both President Tinubu and Governor Ododo ahead of the 2027 polls.

In the same vein, the National President of MOUN, Dr. Razaq Olushola Sotayo, represented by the Kwara State Chairman, Abdulaziz, described the okada transport system as the largest informal transport network in Nigeria. He maintained that operators are largely law-abiding and, if properly supported, can outperform many sectors of the economy.

The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Comrade Joel Salifu, alongside top government officials—including the Commissioner for Information and Communication Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo,
Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Abdullahi Bello; the Commissioner for Transport, and the commissioner for Transportation Hon. Atulukwu Victor Levi joined Governor Ododo in receiving the delegation.

The unveiling of the coded jackets marks a significant step in Kogi State’s broader strategy to integrate informal sector operators into its security framework while advancing economic empowerment and public safety.